How to go about changing AW-4 tranny fluid
#16
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Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
That changing the fluid is bad for a high-mileage transmission is a pure myth, a pressurized flush can knock stuff loose but drain and fills or a "fluid-exchange" (which uses the transmission's own pump to pump out the old fluid and the new in) is perfectly safe. By far the worst thing you can do is continue to run old/dirty/burnt fluid.
I just "resurrected" a toasted transmission by doing a complete fluid exchange. I plan to write it up once I have a couple of weeks of daily driving to make sure it's good, but here's the short version:
Made a longish trip in traffic one evening, an hour of stop & go, then full speeds for another half hour. Got off the highway and could barely get it rolling away from the stop. Slipping City! Limped to my destination and got parked.
Came out a couple hours later and it drove fine.
By the time I got home again, after 90 minutes of 55-70 mph, it was slipping badly again. Fluid was black - like dirty engine oil.
Flushed the trans by cutting the line and letting the trans pump out the bad while I filled it with fresh. Spliced the line once I was done.
The flush was last Saturday (9 days ago). I've driven it every day since then. 55 mile commute, one way, usually with a lot of stop & go in the city, plus 60-70 mph for a good stretch. Plenty of time to heat up. Not a bit of slipping since the flush.
I plan to do it again in a few weeks, just to make sure it's as clean as I can get it. For the last one I used cheap stuff. Next time I'll refill with a good name brand.
#17
Beach Bum
That Amsoil Synthetic Universal is interesting. First time I have heard it used.
#18
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Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
It should be a lot happier with what it has in it now as opposed to what I drained out.
I'll probably change it again at the next oil change, effectively flushing it.
I'll probably change it again at the next oil change, effectively flushing it.
#19
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
All sounds like good info and I feel a lot better about giving it a go, so thank you guys!
I'll be looking to do this in mid April or so, since it's still cold as ***** here. While I'm changing the tranny fluid, I want to go ahead and change the T-Case and differential fluids too. Dex3 for those as well?
I'll be looking to do this in mid April or so, since it's still cold as ***** here. While I'm changing the tranny fluid, I want to go ahead and change the T-Case and differential fluids too. Dex3 for those as well?
#21
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
^This,
For the transfer-case you can use just about any transmission fluid you want it isn't picky, but it is probably easiest to use Dexron III since that is what the trans takes.
For the Diffs 75w90 in the front, 75w90 in the rear for "normal-use", 75w140 or 80w140 in the rear for "severe-service" (towing, "hard-core" off-roading, etc.). If you have an LSD (limited-slip-differential) in the rear make sure to use a Limited-Slip additive or fluid that already contains the additive.
For the transfer-case you can use just about any transmission fluid you want it isn't picky, but it is probably easiest to use Dexron III since that is what the trans takes.
For the Diffs 75w90 in the front, 75w90 in the rear for "normal-use", 75w140 or 80w140 in the rear for "severe-service" (towing, "hard-core" off-roading, etc.). If you have an LSD (limited-slip-differential) in the rear make sure to use a Limited-Slip additive or fluid that already contains the additive.
#23
CF Veteran
Sorry for the hijack, but would this stuff be any good for the AW-4? We don't seem to have so many options in the UK
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-746-cast...-diii-atf.aspx
thanks!
Morat
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-746-cast...-diii-atf.aspx
thanks!
Morat
#24
Does dexron/mercon III smell really bad? I'm trying to ID the fluid that's in my 2001 XJ. It's clean enough, nice and red in color, but I don't remember it smelling like pungent cat urine before.
Last edited by TJ805; 01-03-2020 at 04:33 PM.
#25
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
That could be normal. Gear oil smells like a rotten egg fart.
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TJ805 (01-04-2020)
#27
-Thanks for the help, TJ
Last edited by TJ805; 01-04-2020 at 11:37 AM.
#28
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
The vehicle is new to me, but the fluid was in really good shape. Nice and red, not burnt at all. It's a smell that I've smelled before, and It's characteristic of a certain type of fluid. Not a sulfur, (egg fart) smell, but more of a BO mixed with cat ****. No big deal, though.
-Thanks for the help, TJ
-Thanks for the help, TJ
CF is so informative.
FWIW, I've smelled that cat **** odor in ATF before.
#29
#30
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
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